Employment Tribunals Fee Guide

We have experience in representing both employers and employees in contentious employment matters. Work and employment is an integral part of your life, whether you are an employee or an employer. It is vitally important that your legal rights are fully protected and enable you to progress in the work place and achieve your professional ambitions and goals.

Unfortunately, there are times when things go wrong and it is essential that you have the expert advice available to take you through each step of the process.

Why us?

Dunn & Baker Solicitors have dealt with similar situations that you are facing; we understand, we assess and we explore all the options available to you with the primary aim of protecting you.

In doing so, all parties must act efficiently, proportionately and in the most cost effective manner. From the outset we will seek to provide you with a fee estimate and will keep you updated on any changes in cost so you can prepare for all circumstances.

As we act for both employees and employers, we understand and appreciate the unique circumstances you face. Our legal experts have dealt with employment tribunals all over the country, have worked in house within organisations and have assisted individual employees. This means we are experienced enough to ‘see the bigger picture’, looking at things globally and commercially, to help you strategize and achieve the best result for you.

Pricing

The total cost depends on the amount of work that we have to invest in and each case is different. It is our aim to make fees simple, clear and understandable. Your options will be discussed to ascertain the most cost effective way of approaching an employment tribunal.

In assessing fees, we broadly break them down into three main categories; preparation for the trial, representation at the trial, and dealing with the outcome.

In each category lies the various stages and key milestones of litigation. Consideration of these areas assists us in providing a clearer fee estimate. For example, the following stages of litigation may apply to your instructions:

• Pre Action (for example dealing with ACAS).
• Mediation/ settlement discussions.
• Issue Stage (settling the claim form and).
• Response Stage (taking receipt of and considering the defendant’s defence response).
• Preparing and assessing schedule of loss (if acting for claimant).
• Assimilation of and consideration of relevant documentation.
• Agreeing and review trial bundles and preparation of the same if instructed by respondent.
• Liaising with potential witnesses and drafting and resolving witness statements and considering opponent’s witness statements.
• Preparing case summaries, lists of issues, case chronology.
• Interim hearings / applications.
• Final trial.

From experience, a relatively straightforward unfair or wrongful dismissal case that results in a one day trial may cost in the region of £4-8,000 (plus VAT) if instructed by a claimant and £5-10,000 (plus VAT) is instructed by a respondent.

For a tailored quote please contact a member of our Civil Litigation team for your FREE initial consultation.

Disbursements

You may also have to pay for disbursements which are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees and counsel fees.

We would always recommend briefing counsel to represent you at the final trial; counsel’s fees vary, however, as an example (for a one day trial) we would estimate that a relatively junior counsel would charge in the region of £750 (plus VAT). A Queen’s Counsel (“QC”) could charge many thousands of pounds.

Additional Fees

Litigation is an ever changing and moving environment. We can only give estimates due to the numerous external factors (a lot of which are beyond our control) which may affect matters and delay the progression of the litigation. In the event that issues become more complex, we will notify you and discuss any additional fees. Reasons for increased or additional fees may include:

• If it is necessary to make or defend interim applications;
• Defending claims brought by litigants in person;
• Making or defending costs applications;
• Dealing with complex preliminary issues (such as questions of disability);
• The number of witnesses / documents involved;
• Allegations of discrimination or whistleblowing.

Judgement day

Sometimes, even when the trial has concluded, there are matters that still require resolution. Handing down of the decision by the Judge may be delayed and may only be provided several weeks after the trial has ended. Employment tribunals provide extensive, substantive reasons for their decisions and so we would ‘walk’ you through the judge’s reasoning.

Additional fees may become payable should you require our assistance with:

• The bringing of or defending an appeal;
• The enforcement of any tribunal judgment/ award.

Time Scales

The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached during pre-claim conciliation/ pre action stage, your case is likely to take a matter of weeks. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take many months. This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.

Further Information

ACAS provide some useful information on employment tribunals please click here to view.

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1889

The government also provide some further information on employment tribunals please click here to view.

https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/employment-tribunal

Contact us today to arrange your FREE initial consultation.